Disclaimer: If I lie and say that I own Harry Potter, will I be sued if everyone knows that I'm lying.
A/N: This chapter is more for adults. Does not contain sex scenes, but contains eating disorders. Please don't do this yourself!
Ch.17 Arriving, Lying, and Spying
Dumbledore patiently waited for the stout figured to walk up to the castle's entrance to where he stood. Three small house elves were running ahead with luggage, while another was holding the figure's hand and leading them towards Dumbledore. The hood of the figure's cloak came off of Severus Snape's livid mother. She couldn't even smile at her old Transfiguration Professor. She wanted to strangle her son for withholding such information from her. How could she not have known that she had a granddaughter? Well, Severus was never one for having a relationship? I wonder is it was that one girl that he met...?
"Good evening, Madam Snape. I trust that you enjoyed your trip? I would have opened the wards so that you could have flooed into Hogwart's, but Severus said that you wanted to take the train." Dumbledore extended his arm for her to take.
"Yes, the train ride was wonderful. Now, where is my son? I fancy a chat with the boy."
"As you wish, Madam. But if I may suggest, let him alone for now and let me steal you away for a chat regarding Hermione Granger. Something has happened at Hogwart's, and I'm afraid that Hermione was attacked." At the look of outrage he received, he quickly added, "She is fine now, though I believe that some part of her brain has been affected. Come join me in my office and we shall discuss this further, and away from unfriendly ears."
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Draco walked up to the dorm, desperately searching for a way to make Hermione open up to him. The thought of an attack on a muggle born witch was not good. He had switched to the light side and betrayed everything he had ever wanted as a child. He knew that he was no better than his father, they had both killed. But to Draco, he felt that the ones he had killed truly deserved to die. It was during the final battle that Draco had destroyed every Death Eater he came into contact with, well excluding Pansy. That was one kill that he let someone else do while he sat on the sidelines. It wasn't that he didn't love Pansy Parkinson, because he did. At one point. It was when the plans for war was being made, most of the Slytherin's were forced to not join the battle, but Pansy no Pansy wanted to be just as involved as Draco. She wanted to kill and destroy. That was when Draco knew how truly evil the girl he had dated for years was.
He came to a stop at the portrait. He could hear music coming from within. He whispered the password to the dragon, but the dragon roared in fury and refused to open the door for him. The fairies were giggling and blowing him kisses. One fairy really worried Draco, she was motioning for him to come closer. He pleaded with the dragon, asking for entrance. But nothing came except angry outbrusts from the dragon who was intent on protecting it's mistress. Finally he kicked the edge of the portrait, making the dragon even madder, but the door opened for him. Draco lightly bounced up and down on his toes and laughed softly at the portrait. Then he tip-toed inside.
The dorm was still trashed, making him wonder if Hermione had came back and seen the mess he had caused. But his fear grew when he saw her asleep on one of the couches and not in her bed. He guessed that she had seen her room and decided it wasn't too safe. He went to grab a blanket to put over her, when he noticed a small shell charm around her neck that was glowing. He reached out and touched the shell, a voice instantly flooding his head. An older, soft voice filled with concern. The lady told him that he had a gentle touch, something she thought would be good for her daughter to find in a boyfriend. She said that she was scared for her daughter. Her daughter was smart but sensitive. Strong emotions were flowing through her daughter, bad emotions. Then she begged Draco to help as the glow of the necklace began to fade.
Instantly, Hermione woke up. She thought that she heard her mother pleading for a boy to save her. It was just a dream, Hermione thought. She opened her eyes fully to see Draco Malfoy crouched down next to her. She tried to crawl into a ball and screamed. "AAAAHHHHHHHH!"
"AAHHHH!" Draco agreed. "Bloody hell, woman. What's with you? I'm not gonna hurt you. Look," he held his hands up with the blanket clutched in them. "I was just going to cover you up. Okay?"
Hermione sat there for a minute before she nodded. "Okay. Umm...Malfoy?" She gulped. " I was wondering...will you stay out here with me?"
Draco had never seen the most powerful witch of their year look so small and helpless. It was as if she was shrinking before his eyes, he blinked again, and Hermione was her normal size. Without answering her, he sat down at the end of the couch and pulled her legs over his lap. After the blanket that he was holding was spread over them both, he propped his feet up and drifted to sleep.
Hermione lay there, watching as her enemy slept sitting up while she took up most of the couch. Her eyes stayed on his face, lingering down to his chest to make sure that his breathing was slow and steady, before she fell asleep as well. A voice from within her mind kept telling her that this boy in front of her would take care of her. She quickly pushed that thought out of her head.
That night Draco dreamed of Hermione. The voice that spoke to his mind had his thoughts lingering on the girl that was laying on the same couch as himself. His dreams felt so real...so right, that he wished that it was real.
Hermione was standing in the Great Hall with her friends, her smile and laugh never faltered when she looked up and seen Draco walk in. She actually waved and smiled even brighter. The boys that she was talking to turned to see who their friend was waving at, then they politely waved as well. Draco walked over to his normal spot at the Slytherin table. No one said anything about the smile that had taken over his normal smirk. In fact, most of them were smiling as well. Then the girl that was his reason for smiling appeared at his side. Not one person stirred as she took a place next to him. She plucked a grape from the table and popped it in her mouth before giving him a cheeky smile.
Draco was flying higher and higher, sounds from the ground not being heard. The wind whipped through his hair. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of being free. He never felt his broom sliding downwards and only opened his eyes just before his body crashed into the ground. The next time he opened his eyes, he was in the hospital wing with bandages wrapped around his chest and waist. His leg was propped up and bandaged as well. The door to the Infirmary burst open, and a frantic Hermione rushed in. Tears were falling from her eyes. She came straight over to his side, not bothering to sit in the chair next to his bed. As she sat at his side, her hands went to the bandages but stopped before she touched them. Draco couldn't help but smile at her, her eyes wide and shiny and her face was fearful. "I'm okay, sweetie."
"No you're not okay. What were you thinking? Almost killing yourself after you just promised me that you'd be with me forever."
Harry and Ron were with him in some small room that he didn't recognize, trying to calm his nerves. They were all wearing suits, Harry was helping Draco fix his tie. They walked into another room, that resembled a church. As they stood at the end of the room, people began to pile in. Music started and two people walked in. Severus Snape walked in the room with Hermione on his arm. She looked so simple but so beautiful in her flowing white dress that went to her knees and a pair of strappy heels. Her hair was still messy but she had her hair pulled up and little white flowers were in her hair. In her hand was a single white rose. Just as he went to kiss her, someone screamed. At the other end of the room, a girl with short brown hair and a black dress that resembled Hermione's stood. Her hazel eyes were blazing with anger, even though she had a sweet smile pasted on her face. Hermione stepped behind Draco, as he spoke in disbelief. "Pansy?"
Then his dreams went darker.
He was leaning over a table pointing at a map that McNair had brought in. They were having a heated discussion as to where to attack Hogwarts. A few feet away, Pansy sat delicately with her feet crossed under her chair, while inspecting her freshly manicured nails. The loud voice of McNair was irritating her, she got up and walked over to the map.
"Gentlemen, relax. The best way to attack is from all angles." She tapped her fingernail at the four corners of Hogwarts. Draco wasn't paying attention to her instruction, he was looking at her nails with an amused face. Each nail had a skull painted on it in green. "And please reframe from raising your voice in front of a lady. Besides, it's giving me a headache." Pansy wrinkled her nose and walked back to her chair.
Draco had just left Dumbledore, informing him of how the attack would go. He walked into his father's study, where his father and Pansy were waiting for him. Pansy was wearing a sickly smile. She walked over to him and tucked her arm under his. Lucius cleared his throat.
"Draco, you have chosen a wonderful girl. Pansy has just kindly offered to accompany you at the battle. I couldn't be more proud of the girl."
Draco turned to Pansy, who was giving him an encouraging nod. "Pansy, really? Why would you offer such a thing?"
Pansy's face contorted into a look of confusion. "Darling, it would only seem approiate that I went with you. Besides, silly," she tapped a finger to the tip of his nose. "I would follow you to the end of the earth. Nothing less than that could prove my faithfulness to you and the Dark Lord."
Draco woke up with a start. He reached to his forehead, finding it covered in sweat. He was about to jump up until he noticed a pair of feet in his lap. His eyes wandered up to the legs, spotting the curve of hips, two smooth arms, then an angelic face with two big brown eyes staring at him in wonder. Without speaking, he got up gently and went to his room. When he came out of his room again, having showered and changed into a pair of fresh clothes, Hermione was still laying on the couch. Before she could speak to him, Draco barged out of the Common Room.
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Ginny sat in the corner of the Lion's Den with her boyfriend, Dean, when Hermione came dragging in. Hermione motioned her over, to which Ginny quickly came running. Hermione asked if there was somewhere they could go to talk, in private. Ginny took her friend by the hand and lead her into the girl's lavatory. They passed by Harry and Ron, who hoped that Hermione was going to open up to someone about her problems, so they let the girls pass with no comment. Harry felt abit put out that Hermione chose to go to Ginny instead of him, but he was glad that she was going to someone.
Ginny and Hermione had been sitting on the floor of the lavatory for some time, talking about anything but what Hermione couldn't find the heart to bring up. Finally she came up with an alternate route. "Ginny, I was wondering...have you... I mean, what could I do to make myself feel better?"
Ginny slowly considered the words she heard, when Hermione started to talk again. "I can't eat, and if I try to eat anyways, I feel sick."
Ginny smiled. "Hermione, really." She leaned her head against the wall, looking at the ceiling. "If that's the problem, then eat. Now, let me finish. All you have to do is throw up after you eat."
"What?"
"You've never tried it? Wow, Hermione! Here I thought that everyone atleast tried it. Susan Bones got me doing it. You know what? Stay here, I'll be back." And Ginny left. Ten minutes later, Ginny reappeared, armed with food. "I got some stuff. Eat, and I'll show you how to do this properly."
Hermione ate in silence, then told Ginny when she was done. Her stomach was violently doing flips. Ginny tied Hermione's hair back away from her face and walked Hermione to a toliet. When she knelt down, Ginny stooped beside her and instructed her to stick her finger down her throat.
Hermione did as instructed, and immediately vomited. When she was done, Ginny handed her a towel to wipe her mouth and offered her friend a smile. "Feel better?"
"Yeah. Thanks Gin."
"No problem." Ginny said as she patted her friend's back and lead her back to the floor to where more food was waiting.
.
Days passed as Hermione grew distant and withdrawn. She nevered raised her hand in class anymore, at first for fear of having her teeth scraped fingers being seen. Then it came to not answering so that she could pretend that she didn't exist. She ignored all questions that came from concerned classmates. The Slytherins were more than happy not to see her hand constantly in the air.
Draco noticed how distant Hemrione had become. She never sat between Potter and Weasley, perferring to sit at the back of the class which bothered all of her teachers. However, it bothered Snape most of all. He demanded that she answer most of the questions that he asked and pulled her from her hiding spot in the back to sit right in front of him.
Ginny had told the boys to leave Hermione alone, that she needed to work out her problems without them. This upset Harry greatly. He was use to being the one who took care of and protected Hermione, right along with Ron. But out of respect for the girl that held his heart, Harry reluctantly backed off.
That lasted up until Harry watched an extremely pissed off Madam Pomfrey burst into the Potion's classroom and pluck Hermione out of class and drag Draco Malfoy out by the ear. Snape looked unaffected that another adult in the castle had disrupted his class. As soon as the mediwitch was out of his class with the two Head students, Snape actually dismissed class. Harry was sure that it had to do with his favorite student being taken from his class, but Harry couldn't help but notice how hard Snape had been pushing Hermione. Without thinking twice, Harry followed Snape. He needed to know what was happening behind his back.
Harry had to run to keep up with Snape, who was turning every few corners that Harry eventually forgot to pay attention to where he was going. As he rounded the last corner, Snape wasn't in sight. Damn, Harry thought. Where is he? Wait a second, this is the corridor that the Infirmary is on. What's Snape doing here? Madam Pomfrey took Hermione, and Snape is following them! What's going on?
Harry wanted to burst into the hospital wing and tell Madam Pomfrey that he was coming in weather she liked it or not! But he knew that if he wanted answers, he'd have to be quiet and spy on everyone. Just as he was almost to the door, the door pushed open and Harry quickly jumped behind a statue. Snape and Malfoy walked out. Neither spoke, they just sat on the floor and seemed to be waiting. The waiting is what bothered Harry, as he noticed that they were waiting for Hermione. He couldn't help but frown and glare at the two that couldn't see him.
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Madam Pomfrey was very angry indeed, as she stormed towards the dungeons. "Thought I told that boy to bring her to me, but no! I have to chase them down and drag them back with me. How hard it must be to be a Malfoy? Never have to do anything! That boy should have been expelled five years ago. Ugh, I hate him!" she mumbled before she stormed into Severus' class and stole his two students.
She knew that if she took both teens that Severus would get the picture as to why she was taking Hermione. Surely, HE didn't forget. Ans she was proven right as Severus barged into the Infirmary with a worried look. "What is it, Poppy?"
"Nothing, yet. It seems that he," she pointed an accusing finger at Draco.
"Don't point your bloody finger at me, woman!" Draco huffed.
"He forgot to bring Hermione back to me for more tests." Severus scowled, turning an icy glare at Draco, then his gaze fell on Hermione, who was sitting on one of the beds with her hands in her lap and her eyes turned down.
"Give me a few minutes with her, then I'll be done. Do not interupt me. Now out!" Poppy instructed. "Now that the boys are gone, how are you feeling Hermione?" No answer. "Do you mind if I do some more tests?" A head shake. "Okay, lie back and close your eyes. I need you relaxed." When Hermione did as she was told, Poppy said, "Here we go."
Thirty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey was done with her tests and not happy with what she found. "Do you want Severus and Mr. Malfoy in here while I give you your results?" Hermione nodded. Poppy let Severus and Draco back inside. "Hermione's results are back, and she wants both of you here to hear them."
"Well, don't stall, woman! Get on with it!" Draco sneered.
"Poppy, I agree with Draco on this on. Please do not take your time and make explainations. Just say it already." Severus said.
"Very well. Hermione, you still have several internal bruises, the rippings are healing slowly. You were attacked and raped, brutally I might add judging by the bruises you had to begin with. I can not find any kind out mind modifying, are you sure that you don't remember anything?" Hermione shook her head. "Okay, now tell me, are you able to hold any food down?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Severus cut in.
"Hermione has lost some weight and isn't as heathly as the last time I saw her."
"So, maybe she's been sick." Draco reasoned.
"Yes, and it's to be expected..."
A/N: Ouch! Please don't kill me! Let me point out that I had told one reviewer that everyone had problems, it's just that Hermione is the main character. No, she will not continue to have the eating disorder after much longer, I just wanted to introduce Ginny's secret problem. So, what do you think? Next chapter is already started. Can you wait or should I hurry?
kriCket x0: Do you remember the shell necklace? And it's functions? I'm not gonna come out and say it, in case some people don't figure it out yet. But I made Hermione say it! So there's your hint. As for Snape and Draco ripping someone apart, that will happen later on. I need Blaise for the quidditch match that Harry and Draco set up.
Lady-Of-the-Moon: I didn't put what test Poppy ran yet, or the results because I wanted to answer your review first. I can't really say here because that will give away the direction for the next few chapters. But I do answer questions via email. What do you want to know and I'll answer to the best of my ability.Love you too, now beg for me! (Okay, that sounded perverted!)
Revenge: I always read my reviews out loud and with a tone, you know what I mean by tone, right? Well, I was reading your review with tone and when I said ASS, I nearly fell out of my chair because I was laughing so hard and everyone in the room thought that I was calling them an ASS. I told them it was from Revenge and they looked at me all confused, so the joke was lost. But hey, I thought it was funny.
Angelic Tears: Wow, You read the whole thing in one sitting? I can only do that very rarely, I get chair ass and I don't have a big attention spand. But thank you for the wonderful review. I have another fic that Blaise is actually good, but I am trashing it and redoing the whole thing. Now, not all of the Slytherins will be so foul and horrible, well...okay! You win! The Slytherins will follow Draco's decision for awhile, until some truth is cast out among them, then they turn evil again. But shush, you don't know this!
AJ01: Heyheyhey! So, does this make you feel better? No signs of breakdown? No trauma? You sure? Ok. Thanx for backing me on that whole ella thing.
HalfBloodedPrince15: Oh My God! Where have you been? Ok, Blaise is my villian. He was just chosen, because Crabbe and Goyle can't be relied on. And Pansy is dead, so that left Blaise and Millie B. And he is just proving that he could take over the reign of Slytherin from Draco. I'm sorry about the rape scene, but it will get the story moving quicker than any other way I could think of. The boy will be revealed at the quidditch match, that's all I can say, since he was the one who deflowered her first. The one that hide from Harry and Ron! Now about Hermione's mom, that will be explained by Snape's mom. That is why I brought her back into the story. As for Gryffindor's Princess? Well, it's being completely redone. I wasn't happy with it. Yes, I am now 23, how old I feel! You want to hear something funny,in GP, I had a club named Stix and Stones.
TomFetonsDancer: Lily is not her mom. There will be no mixing Hermione and Harry together as family. Yes, I did say that they were becoming a family no matter how broken, but it was more like they were both orphans and clung to each other and had friends like the Weasley's and Lupin, Tonks, Moody, ect. Hermione is a halfblood, her mom being fully muggle while her father being a pureblood. It will be explained soon.
Gentileschi: Thank you for the b-day ecard. That was nice. I'm glad you like it, but things may get alittle darker before returning back to normal. But yes, she will get better but only after abit of a rough time.
Draco Hottie 12: Yeah, I like the fact that he can have a soft side too! It makes him more...human? Gram Snape is gonna cause a heck of alot of problem for Snape, Draco, and any other boy that likes her granddaughter. Oh, poor poor Neville! I have tried to put in real life situations, like being betrayed by your 'best friend', being raped, having a father that never knew you existed, and terribly wanting someone that can't open up to you.
OrgnlAmagic: Ah! There you are! Ok, yes Blaise sucks in this fic. Ummm, the necklace, all she has to do is hold the charm and concentrate on any voice that she wants to capture. As for what the voice says, it is old stuff that was once said and new things from beyond the grave. The shell holds alittle bit of her mom's essence. Don't worry, Blaise has karma that will catch his snake-y butt.
Ghzowy: I love new fans! Yes, I know that the rape came out of nowhere, but I really love to shake things up so don't be surprised if I do something stupid. I'm trying to keep all the characters involved, but not many of them get along of appearance time. Snape's great, ain't he?
Michelle Felton: Thank you! I like that she is a Snape too! I could see her as a child of a Slytherin. It would explain how she kept her Time Turner a secret so well in Book/Movie 3. It would be the sneaky Slytherin blood in her, right?
Hugs from a fruit,
Cherry